Six individuals have been charged in connection with a series of violent incidents in the Bronx during 2020 that resulted in two deaths and one injury. The announcement was made by Jay Clayton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, along with Ricky J. Patel, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York Field Office, and Jessica S. Tisch, Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (NYPD).
The defendants—Storm Jones; Michael Ortiz, also known as “Dot”; Randy Maccow; Mario Medina, also known as “Flacco”; Jayson Holland, also known as “Jerry” or “Ninety”; and Francis Ofori, also known as “Ghana”—are accused of involvement in two homicides and a non-fatal shooting. The incidents include the August 2 killing of Clarence Adams, age 53; the September 1 murder of Jeffrey German, age 29; and a November 3 shooting that left another individual wounded.
All six defendants were previously held in either New York City or state custody before being transferred to federal custody. The final two were arraigned today in Manhattan federal court before U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman.
“As alleged, these defendants wreaked havoc across a Bronx neighborhood through a string of robberies and killings,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “New Yorkers want and deserve safe streets and those who pursue violence as a way of life will be brought to justice.”
HSI Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel stated: “As alleged, these defendants carried out their violent sprees with depravity, which resulted in the deaths of two victims and the near loss of a third. However long it takes, HSI New York, the NYPD and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York will relentlessly target violent criminals to ensure no victims suffer in vain and the public remains as safe as possible.”
“These alleged Elsmere crew members carried out cold-blooded murders, violent crime sprees, and tried to dodge accountability—all while carrying illegal guns and illicit narcotics,” said NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch. “Two New Yorkers lost their lives, another was seriously injured, and entire communities were shattered by this violence. The NYPD’s strategy is simple: to keep our streets safe, remove gangs from the equation—and that’s why we have carried out more than 50 gang-related takedowns and arrested almost 400 gang members this year alone. I want to thank the NYPD investigators, HSI, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their relentless work to make sure these defendants are brought to justice.”
According to court documents related to this case—including allegations contained within a Superseding Indictment—the group referred to as the “Elsmere Crew” used an address at 804 Elsmere Place in the Bronx both for drug activity and planning crimes involving firearms.
On August 2nd, Storm Jones allegedly shot Clarence Adams after an argument over drug dealing several blocks from this location; Adams later died from his injuries.
In fall 2020 two similar robberies took place near this same address: In each instance victims were lured under pretense of delivering marijuana then robbed at gunpoint by crew members who returned afterward to their base on Elsmere Place.
The first robbery involved Jones along with Ortiz, Maccow, Medina,and Holland—resulting in Jeffrey German’s death on September 1st.
A second robbery occurred on November 3rd involving Ortiz,Ofori,and others—which led to another victim being shot but surviving.
A chart provided by prosecutors lists each defendant’s charges under various statutes including conspiracy or commission of Hobbs Act robbery,murder through use of firearm,narcotics conspiracy,and other weapons offenses—with potential maximum penalties ranging up to life imprisonment depending on count.
Jay Clayton commended investigative efforts by both HSI agentsand NYPD officers.The prosecution is handled by Assistant U.S.Attorneys Michael R.Hermanand Patrick R.Moroney fromthe Violentand Organized Crimes Unit.The indictment represents only accusations at this stage.All named individuals are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
